Method for forming image-receiving film for use in photography



J. GREENHALGH ETAL METHOD FOR FORMING IMAGE Aug. 21, 1951 2,565,367

\ -RECEIVING FILM FOR USE 'IN PHOTOGRAPHY 2 Sheets-Shee t 1 Filed Nov. 25, 1949 arllvllil I In!!! OVT Aug. 21, 1951 J. GREENHALGH HAL 2,565,367

METHOD FOR FORMING IMAGE-RECEIVING FILM FOR USE IN PHOTOGRAPHY Filed Nov; 23, 1949 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN TORS BYM fiw/ Patented Aug. 21, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE METHOD FOR FORMING IMAGE-RECEIVING FILM FOR USE IN PHOTOGRAPHY John Greenhalgh, Wellesley, and Otto E. Wolfi',

Lincoln, Mass., assignors to Polaroid Corporation, Cambridge, Mass., a corporation of Delaware ' Application November 23, 1949, Serial No. 129,048

13 Claims. (Cl. 154-125) This invention relates to film for use in the art of photography and more particularly has referand predetermin d registered relation to each other and wherein said laminating operation is utilized to substantially maintain said sheets against movement relative to each other along their separate paths while both said sheets are being subjected to processing operations at stations located along said separate paths.

Other objects of this invention are to provide, in methods of the character described for forming image-receiving film, processing steps wherein one of said sheets, constituting an image-receiving sheet formed of material adapted to receive a photographic image by transfer, is subjected during the course of its intermittent advancement to perforating and punching operations within each of a plurality of successive picture frame portions which extend lengthwise of the sheet in end-to-end relation whereby to provide in each picture frame portion a removable print section adapted to receive a transfer image and also to provide a thumb hole opening adjacent an end of each removable print section adapted to assist in the removal thereof and wherein the other of said sheets, constituting a masking material adapted to overlie said first sheet except for picture areas on said first sheet, is subjected during the course of its intermittent advancement to punching operations whereby to I provide aplurality of openings in the sheet spaced longitudinally thereof and adapted to provide successive apertures which are each adapted to be registered with a picture area in a removable print section of said image-receiving sheet; to provide procedure wherein the operations involving perforation of said image-receiving sheet and the punching of thumb holestherein, as well as the formation of apertures in the masking sheet and the lamination of said sheets in registered rela-' tion, are all carried out while said sheets are at rest and may be carried out simultaneously; to provide practices wherein a predetermined number of successive picture frame portions are provided on said image-receiving sheet in groups which are spaced apart from each other and which have a predetermined number of successive adapted to provide leaders andsimilarly in the provision of practices wherein said masking sheet is provided with a plurality of successive portions, each having an aperture, and together providing a group of apertured portions which are separated from another group of apertured portions by blank spaces; and in the provision of practices wherein said sheet materials are continuously withdrawn from individual supply sources and are intermittently advanced lengthwise of themselves by the application of intermittently applied tensional forces.

Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part appear hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the process involving the several steps and the relation and the order of one or more of such steps with respect to each of the others which are exemplified in the following detailed disclosure, and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in th claims.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic longitudinal elevation of apparatus with which the process of the invention may be carried out, with parts of said apparatus being removed and parts thereof being omitted and shown in section for the purpose of simplicity and wherein the paths of movement of the sheet materials adapted to be procblank spaces adjacent each end thereof and essed are schematically shown;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of a portion of the apparatus disclosed in Fig. 1 with parts of said apparatus being omitted; and

Fig. 3 is a schematic view in perspective which shows the paths of movement of the sheet materials as they undergo processing and illustrates the results of the difierent processing operations on said sheets while they undergo formation into continuous image-receiving film.

A photographic transfer process is disclosed in the application of Edwin H. Land, Serial No. 7,795, filed February 12, 1948, for Photographic Process, wherein procedure is set forth for providing in an image-receiving film a reverse image of a latent image formed in a silver halide photosensitive sheet material.

.Roll film, suitable for carrying out a transfer process such as that just referred to above, is shown in the application of Howard G. Rogers and William J. McCune, Jr., Serial No. 6,058, filed February 3, 1948, for Photographic Product and in the application of William J. McCune, Jr.. Serial No. 57,847, filed November 2, 1948, for Photographic Product. A camera in which film of this character is employed is disclosed in United States Patent No. 2,455,111, issued to Joseph F. Carbone and Murry N. Fairbank on November 30, 1948, for Self-Developing Camera.

The film material of said applications makes use of a photosensitive sheet material and an image-receiving film, each comprising a length of material which is provided with a group of successive picture frame portions extending lengthwise thereof in end-to-end relation and which has a leader or blank portion at each end of said length in adjoining relation to an end of the group of successive picture frame portions. The picture frame portions in each sheet material are equal in number.

In more detail, the image-receiving film comprises an image-receiving sheet of a material adapted to receive a photographic image by transfer and is provided in each picture frame portion thereof with a removable print section having a picture area which lies inside of the boundaries of the removable print section and within which the transfer image is adapted to be confined. A masking sheet material, of a length substantially equal to the image-receiving sheet, is superposed in predetermined registered relation on the latter and is secured thereto with a strippable bond. This masking sheet is provided with a group of masking apertures, equal in number to the picture frame portions provided on the image-receiving sheet, and extending lengthwise of the masking sheet in spaced relation so that the apertures are separated centerto-center by a distance equal to the length of a picture frame portion. These apertures each have dimensions substantially equal to a picture area for the transfer image and the apertures are adapted, when the image-receiving sheet and the masking sheet are in superposed and registered relation, to define the picture area within each removable print section and to restrict contact of processing composition to said area as well as to confine the transfer image thereto.

The before-mentioned applications show a rupturable container mounted on one surface of the image-receiving film adjacent one end of each picture frame portion thereof. Each container is filled with a liquid processing composition in a quantity sufficient to develop a latent image in a frame of the photosensitive sheet material used in conjunction with the imagereceiving film and to provide a transfer image in a frame portion of the image-receiving film. In addition, application Serial No. 6,058 and application Serial No. 57,847 set forth means for trapping liquid in excess of that employed for image formation, stop means for predeterminedly arresting the movement of the image-receiving film in a camera and other construction features.

The present invention is concerned with the formation of image-receiving film of the character described from supplies of continuous sheet materials and particularly to processing steps involving intermittently and synchronously advancing an image-receiving sheet and masking sheet towards a laminating station along separate paths which join each other adjacent the laminating station, successively laminating superposed and registered portions of said sheets at the laminating station and, while carrying out each laminating operation, providing a. removable print section and a tear-out hole in a picture frame portion of the image-receiving 65 are punched in the sheet.

sheet and forming a masking aperture in the masking sheet.

In carrying these operations into effect, sheet material ll! of a character adapted to receive a 5 photographic image by transfer is continuously drawn from a stock roll II by engagement between continuously rotated drawing rolls 12 in pressure contact with each other. Image-receiving sheet l0, discharged by rolls I2, is engaged 1 between another set of pressure rolls l8 which,

however, are intermittently rotated, in a manner to be hereinafter described, and which move the image-receiving sheet over a guide track 14 and along a predetermined path past a laminating 1!! station L and past operating stations A and B located between the laminating station L and the continuously operated drawing rolls i2. Removable print sections 22 are formed in successive picture frame portions 21 of the image-receiving sheet at station A and, as illustrated in the drawings, a tear-out or thumb hole 23 is formed at station B in each picture frame portion 21 as a part of said print section. By suitable modification, hereinafter pointed out, the operations car- 5 ried out at stations A and B may be combined whereby both operations are performed at a single station. The path of the image-receiving sheet l0 proceeds from stations A and B past a laminating station L where masking sheet I5,

adapted to be superposed on the image-receiving sheet [0, is laminated to the latter. Each intermittent advance of sheet material by the intermittently rotated rolls I8 is by a linear distance equal to the l ngth of one picture frame portion provided on the finished film.

The masking sheet i5 is continuously drawn from the stock roll 16 by engagement between continuously rotated drawing rolls I1 in pressure engagement with each other. Masking sheet 15,

0 discharged by the drawing rolls I1, is also engaged between the intermittently rotated drawing rolls I8 whereby it is advanced lengthwise of itself intermittently in synchronization with the intermittent movement of the image-receiving sheet 5 Ill. The masking sheet l5 follows a path from the continuously rotated roll pair H to th intermittently rotated rolls l8 which is separated, at least in part, from the path of travel of imagereceiving sheet l0 and which is joined at one end to the path of travel of the sheet Hi. In

this regard, masking sheet the drawing roll pair I1 over suitable guide rods l9 spaced from and located over the path of travel of the image-receiving sheet The path of movement for the masking sheet proceeds downwardly from the guide rod [9 nearest the laminating station L to a junction J with the path followed by the image-receiving sheet and the masking sheet I5 is superposed on 15 is led from the image-receiving sheet 10 adjacent the end of a guide chute 20 having a guiding surface for the masking sheet. As the masking sheet l5 follows its separate path of travel, it proceeds by an operating station C where masking apertures 25 These apertures 25 each have dimensions equal to the dimensions of the picture area within each removable print section 22.

It will be apparent that the sheets I0 and i5,

70.When superposed at the path junction J proceed together past the lamination station L. Likewise, it will be apparent that by this arrangement the intermittent movement imparted to the sheets l0 and I5 will be of a synchronous character.

It is possible to utilize the intermittently driven roll pair I 8 as the sole means for drawing the sheet materials Ill and I! from their respective supply rolls II and Hi. In the case of sheet ma terials of a fragile nature, the intermittent application of tensional forces to the sheet materials f r the purpose of drawing them from their respective siock rolls is likely to tear or break the materials. This condition may be substantially avoided by a feed for the sheet materials in which they are continuously drawn from their respective stock rolls and are then subjected to intermittently applied tensional forces whereby their continuous movement is converted to an intermittent advancement. In carrying out this practice, sheets I and I may conveniently be allowed to form slack loops H0 and H5 in their respective paths of travel.

At the initiation of processing operations, intermittent advancement of the sheet ill and the sheet I5 is intended to take place at a mean rate of linear speed slightly less than the linear speed rate at which the sheets are continuously withdrawn from respective stock rolls until slack loops Ill] and 5 have been provided. after which the speed of rotation of the roll pairs I2 and I! are adjusted, as by means of a variable speed device, so that the relative linear speed of the sheets l0 and I5, discharged from the drawing roll pairs l2 and H, respectively, will be substantially equal to the mean linear speed of the material advanced by the intermittently actuated rolls l8 whereby slack loops H0 and N5 of desired size may be substantially maintained during processing.

With specific reference to Fig. 3. each removable print section is shown as comprising a generally rectangular portion perforated at 24 around its edges, a tear-out or thumb hole 23 located adjacent one end of the rectangular portion, and straight line perforations |24 converging towards the thumb hole 23 from th end of the rectangle 24 adjacent thereto. The perforations 24 are preferably in the form of curved-lines and unperforated portions adjoining them serve to keep the removable print section 22 attached to the remainder of the image-receiving sheet III. This arrangement will provide a deckled edge around the rectangular portion of the removable print section. Tear-out or thumb hole 23 and the straight line perforations I24 facilitate removal of the print section 22 from the sheet 10. When completely removed, the rectangular part of the print section 22 is intended to be entirely broken away from the remainder of the print section.

The perforating and punching operations adapted to form removable print sections 22 are carried out for a predetermined number of cycles whereby to provide removable print sections including tear-out holes in each of the successive portions of the sheet III which are operated upon at stations A and B while these cycles are being performed. Thereafter, perforating and punching operations are arrested for a predetermined number of cycles while advance of the sheet I0 is continued and this procedure is successively repeated until the supply II of receiving sheet is exhausted. As a result, removable print sections 22 are formed in the sheet II in spaced-apart groups. Each removable print section 22 is adapted to be contained within a portion of the sheet l0 which constitutes a picture frame portion 2|. Thus, a group of removable print sections 22 will define a group of picture frame portions 2| wherein each picture frame portion will have a length equal to the distance between the trailing edges straight line perforations 24.

of tear-out holes 23 for successive removable print sections in said group. For the purpose of illustration. dash and dot lines are shown in Fig. 3 as demarkin picture frame portions on the receiving sheet l0 and on the composite film formed by superposing the masking sheet 55 on the receiving sheet. The arrow in Fig. 3 indicates the direction of movement of the sheet materials.

Portions of the sheet i0, upon which no operations have been performed at stations A and B and which are located at each end of each group of picture frame portions, are adapted to provide a blank |2| capable of providing a leader at each end of camera roll film when the continuous sheet I0 is cut into roll film lengths. Each blank portion |2| is equal in length to a predetermined number of picture frame portions. For the purpose of illustration, it may be noted that a group of picture frame portions comprises eight successive frames and that eachgroup is joined by blank portions |2| equal to the length of three pictures frame portions. With this arrangement, a roll film length will comprise eight picture frame portions with a part of a blank |2| at each end. The two leader portions at each' end of a roll film have a total length of three picture frame portions whereby the roll film length will be the equivalent of eleven picture frame portions.

As previously noted, the image area in each removable print section 22 is defined by the rectangular masking apertures 25, each of which will have a length and width slightly under the dimensions for the rectangular perforated portions 24 of the removable print sections 22. As in the case of removable print sections 22, masking apertures 25 are formed in groups each having a predetermined number of apertures 25 corresponding in number to the picture portions 2| making up a group of frames. The groups of masking apertures are separated by blank portions I25 in the masking sheet l5 corresponding in length to the blank portions |2| separating each picture frame portion group and adapted to provide leaders. Masking apertures 25 within a group are spaced apart center-to-center by the length of one picture frame portion. Since sheets In and I5 are synchronously moved, it will be apparent that they will be brought into superposed and registered relation so that each aperture 25 of the masking sheet will overlie and define an image area, in a removable print section 22 of the receiving sheet.

The perforating, punching and laminating operations carried out respectively at the stations A, C and L are effected by mechanism making use of two crank shafts 26 and 21 which are mounted between side plates 28 and 29, supported upon a suitable frame indicated in part at 30.

Crank shaft 26 has a double throw provided by appropriate eccentric portions thereon. Male and female connecting rod assemblies 3| and 32 are engaged on the crank shaft 26. Connecting rod assembly 3| is operatively connected to a steel rule die 34 or other style of cutter which is brought into cutting contact with the receiving sheet 0 as it passes over a work support table in its path of travel and is adapted to perforate the image-receiving sheet to form the removable print sections 22 therein. l'he steel rule die 34 has cutting edges shaped to the configuration desired for a removable print section 22, including the rectangular deckled edge 24 for the print and the A punch 35 is operatively. connected to the other connecting masking apertures may becut in the masking sheet I3 whenpunching operations are carried out with the punch 35.

The other crank shaft 21 has a connecting rod assembly 33 suitably mounted thereon. A laminating head 36 is operatively engaged with the connecting rod assembly 33. whereby to effect lamination between the superposed and registered sheets I3 and I as they pass over a work support in their combined path of travel.

The connecting rod assemblies 3|, 32 and 33, respectively, include crossheads I3I, I32 and I33. These crossheads I3I, I32 and I33 are slidable in guides 31 supported on the side plates 23 and 23. For simplicity of illustration (see Fig. 2), only one set of guides 31 has been shown. The die 34, punch 35 and laminating head 36. respectively, are secured to the crossheads I3I, I32 and I33.

Laminating head 36 is adapted to be secured to the crosshead I33 by a floating connection. For this purpose the crosshead I33 has a plate 33 fixed to its lower end. The laminating head is secured to the plate 33 by spring-loaded means whereby the laminating head is movable relative to the crosshead I33. This connection may be effected in any conventional manner. Schematically, it is shown as making use of a laminating head 36 having a recess within which the crosshead plate 33 is adapted to be slidably mounted. Plate 33 is shown as provided with a plurality of studs I33, each of which slidably extends through a flange provided over the recess in the laminating head 36 and is slidable therethrough. Each stud I33 has a spring I33 engaged therearound at a location between the flange of the laminating head and an adjusting nut on the upper or free end of the stud. It will be apparent that the springs I33 constantly urge the laminating head downwardly and to-.

wards the path of travel of the superposed sheets I3 and I5.

Laminating head 36 is adapted to be heated and for this purpose an electric heating element is indicated at I43 as mounted within the head. The floating mount of the laminating head 33 is desirable inasmuch as it permits the head to contact the material to be laminated before the connecting rod assembly 33 reaches the bottom of its stroke and allows the laminating head to remain in contact with the material after the connecting rod assembly 33, including the crosshead I33, has started its upstroke. This assures sufficient heat transfer to effect the desired lamination.

Means for driving the crank shafts 26 and 21, and in fact all moving means in the apparatus, comprises a main shaft 33 provided with a driven fly wheel 43 adapted to be operatively connected to a suitable power source (not shown). As may be observed in Fig. 2, shaft 33 is suitably geared to the crank shafts 26 and 21. This gearing is at a 1-to-1 ratio for a purpose which will presently apear. v a v If desired, the steel rule die 34 may be provided with a cutting element thereon for cutting the thumb hole, 23 on each removable print erally preferable, however, to form the thumb hole 23 by a punching operation carried out separately from the perforating operation and at the station B indicated in Fig. 1.

Punch mechanism, indicated generally by the reference numeral 4|, may be conveniently operated from the connecting rod assembly 3|. As shown, the punch mechanism comprises a punch 42 slidably mounted ina guide 43 carried by side plates 23 and 23. Punch 42 is normally retained in elevated position with respect to the receiving sheet l3 by means of a spring 44. A striker arm 45 is linked to the connecting rod assembly 3I and at appropriate times strikes the head of the punch 42 and pushes it downwardly to carry out a punching operation. The workin surface of punch 42 has a shape corresponding to that of a thumb hole 23 and is adapted to cooperate with an appropriate die over which the receiving sheet passes whereby actuation of the punch will form the desired thumb hole in the receiving sheet I3.

As previously pointed out, actuation of the punch 42 is not continuous but is adapted to be restricted to permit blank or leader portions In to be provided in the receiving sheet I3. For this purpose use is made of a retractable arm 46 having a ball-shaped end adapted to seat on the head of the punch 42. Arm 46 is linked at its other end to a pivoted lever 41 which is controlled by a constantly rotated cam 43. The striker arm 45 has a throw which is insufficient to cause it to strike the head of the punch 42. During the period that punching operations are performed, cam 43 maintains the lever 41 and arm 46 in such position that the ball end ofthe arm 46 isseated on the head of the punch 42 in the path of movement of the striker arm 45 whereby the striker arm may actuate the punch. At other times, the cam 48 moves lever 41 and arm 46 so that the ball end of the latter is retracted and out of the path of the striker arm whereby the punch is rendered inoperative. Fig. 2 shows the punch mechanism H in a condition to carry out punching operations.

As may be observed in Fig. 2, crank shaft 26 is geared to a shaft 43 which in turn is geared to a shaft 53. Shafts 43 and 53 are supported in suitable bearings and extend between the side plates 23 and 23. This gearing causes shaft 53 to be driven at a speed reduced from that of the crank shaft 26 by a reduction ratio of one divided by the roll film length in units of picture frame portions. Thus, in the example given where the roll film length, including leader portions, is the equivalent of eleven picture frame portions, the speed reduction will be /n.

It may be here observed that the shaft 53 has the cam 48 fixed thereto for rotation therewith to control operation of the punch 42 in the manner heretofore described.

The path followed by the image-receiving sheet I3 is elevated with respect to the machine frame 33 and the sheet is adapted to be moved along a substantially flat supporting surface 5I which may be carried on channel members, angle members, and the like, indicated at 52, and secured to the frame 33 and/or the side plates 28 and 23. The supporting surface Si is cut away adjacent the perforating and laminating stations and special work tables 53 and 54 are provided. respectively, at these locations.

A third work supporting table 55 is employed in conjunction with the aperture punch 35.

section 22 in the receiving sheet I3. It is gen- A. plate I42 in the form of a die is mounted on the support 52 at the operating station-B as a part of the thumb hole punching mechanism. This die I42, as already pointed out, is shaped to correspond to the head of punch 42.

It has been mentioned that perforating and punching operations carried out at stations A, B and C are arrested in order to provide the leader portions i2l and I25 at the ends of each group of picture frame portions in the receiving sheet l and corresponding groups of masking apertures in the masking sheet i5. Means for arresting punching operations at the station B have already been described. A number of arrangemerits are possible for preventing the perforating and punching operations at the stations A and C. For example, the crank shaft 26 may be connected to the main drive shaft 39 through a clutch which is arranged for engagement and disengagement at appropriate times. A more convenient method, however, is to a low the perforating die 34 and the masking punch 35 to continue in operation while providing a construction which permits the work tables 53 and 55 to be retracted or moved away from the path of travel of the sheets I 0 and I5 to positions spaced beyond the locations where the die 34 and the punch 35 attain their maximum advance towards the paths travelled by the sheets I!) and I5. When the perforating and punching operations are resumed, tables 53 and 55 are moved into position to support the sheets I 0 and I5 whereby the die 34 and the punch 35 become operative to form removable print sections 22 and masking apertures 25 in the sheets l0 and IS.

The movable table 53 comprises a carriage 56 slidable in guides 51 which are secured to the side plates 28 and 29 while the work-sup orting table is substantially similar to table 53 and comprises a carriage 53 slidable in guides 59 which are also secured to the side plates 28 and 29. The sliding carriage 56 of the table 53 has a-die plate 6| supported thereon for cooperation with the die 34 while the carriage 58 of the table 55 has a die plate supported thereon for cooperation with the mask punch 35. Fig. 1 discloses tables 53 and 55 in advanced position and each connecting rod assembly 3|, 32 and 33 at an end of its stroke. i

It has been found satisfactory to carry out the laminating operation continuously. Consequently, the laminating table 54 is conveniently formed of a metal block supported between the plates 28 and 29 and/or the frame 30. This block is adapted to be provided at its end adja-- cent the laminating head with a suitable'worksupporting surface 62.

Means for advancing and retracting each table 53 and 55 make use of a power take-off comprising a cam 63 fixed to the end of the shaft 50 between the side plate 29 and the main shaft 39. Cam 63 is adapted to control a conventional lever system (not shown) through which power is transmitted to each of a pair of racks 64 whereby to reciprocate each rack. Racks 64, one of which is shown in Fig, 2, are individually associated with the retractable tables 53 and 55. Each table 53 and 55 is provided with a pair of shafts 65 rotatably mounted in suitable bearings provided on the table carriages. Each shaft 65 has a gear 63 which is fixed at one end thereof and which is adapted to cooperate with the rack 54 associated therewith. The shafts 55 are provided with eccentric portions operating in blocks I 65 which are movably carried by said carriages and are mounted so thatreciprocating motion imparted to a rack 84, by the lever system and control cam 63, will cause rotation of the gears 66 and shafts 65 associated with a table and the conse-' quent retraction or advance of the work table in accordance with the movement imparted to the 'blocks I65 by the eccentric portions on said shafts 65.

Intermittent rotation is adapted to be imparted to the drawing rolls I 8 by a conventional eccentric rack and ratchet device indicated at' 61. Suitable gearing provided on the shaft of a roll I 8 is adapted to be rotated on reciprocating movement of said rack and to be clutched to a roll [8 by a ratchet during the upstroke or downstroke of the rack. Means for driving the rack and ratchet device makes use of a crank disc 68 to which one end of the rack is pivotally connected. The crank disc 68 is mounted upon a suitable shaft 69 which is driven by a power take-ofl from the main shaft 39 indicated at 73. This power take-off comprises a vertical shaft (not shown) but supported on a pillar post carried on the machine frame and geared to the main shaft by suitable beveled gearing.

The just described power take-off I0 from the main shaft is also connected by conventional practices to each pair of drawing rolls l2 and 11 whereby to effect the continuous rotation of these rolls. This connection may be carried out with the use of suitable belting in conjunction with a conventional variable speed device which is used to adjust the peripheral speed of the rolls [2 and I1 whereby to control the slack loops llll and H5 in the manner heretofore described.

The image-receiving sheet I0 may comprise any suitable image-receptive material. A wide choice of materials is available from the fields of organic plastics, papers, reversible film-forming colloid, proteins such as gelatin, albumen, and the like, and carbohydrates such as starch, and the like, as well as mixtures of such materials where they are compatible. An image-receptive material may also comprise a layer of a substance which is adapted to receive a transfer image and which is carried upon a transparent or opaque support, as for example baryta paper. In fact, baryta may be mentioned as a preferred imagereceptive material for use in the formation of the image-receiving sheet. The image-receptive material adapted to form sheet I0 is cut to width and is carried in a stock roll, as indicated at II. If desired, the image-receiving sheet I!) may be suitably treated by procedures not a part of this invention,.which assist and improve image formation and stabilization, such treatment being carried out prior to the processing herein described.

Any relatively thin material, which may be secured to the image-receiving sheet III by a strippable bond, may be employed for the masking sheet l5. A preferred material, especially for use with baryta paper, is a thin tissue paper, for example a paper about 0.0017 inch thick. This paper is cut to width and is treated with a suitable pressure-and/or heat-sensitive adhesive prior to assembly with the receiving sheet I 0. An adhesive is employed which will provide a strippable bond between the receiving sheet l0 and the masking sheet l5. While the adhesive and its method of application to the masking sheet are not a part of the present invention, layers of incompatible plastics coated upon a surface of the masking sheet l5 may be mentioned as one general example of adhesive meanssuitable for this purpose.

Heat and pressure are preferably employed in effecting the lamination of the masking sheet I5 to the receiving sheet III. For this purpose the laminating head 36, in the apparatus disclosed in Fig. 1, is suitably equipped with electric heating element I40. Also, if desired, a heating element (not shown) may be mounted within the guide member 20 at its end adjacent the path Junction J of the sheets I and I whereby to pre-heat the masking sheet in preparation for the laminating operation.

The formation of the image-receiving film will become apparent in view of the foregoing and with special reference to Fig. 3 wherein the different processing stages are illustrated in connection with sheets I0 and I5, which are schematically shown in their passage through the machine of Fig. 1 for formation into said imagereceiving film. In this regard, Fig. 3 shows the image-receiving sheet ID in a substantially horizontal plane and as proceeding from the left to the right side, as indicated by the direction arrow.

At its left end, Fig. 3 shows a section of imagereceiving sheet III as it is drawn from the stock roll II and before any operations have been performed upon it. Adjoining this section at the right is a picture frame portion 2| in which a removable print section 22, including the perforations 24 and I24, has been provided by the perforating operation performed at station A in Fig. 1.

This perforating operation is, of course, carried out by the die 34 being brought into contact with sheet I0 and the work support 5| of the retractable table 53 which has been advanced to a working position. Movement of the table 53 from the advanced position shown in Fig. 1 is, as heretofore pointed out, controlled by the cam 63 in the manner previously described.

Directly adjacent and to the right of the picture frame portion just described as being perforated is another picture frame portion 2| which, besides perforations 24 and I24, is illustrated as having a thumb hole 23 provided therein as a result of the operation of the punch mechanism 4I when the second mentioned frame is at the operating station B. Control of the punch mechanism 4I, wherebyit is rendered operative, is effected by the cam 48 which at appropriate times, in a manner heretofore described, is adapted to advance the arm 45 to the position shown in Fig. 1 whereby the striker arm 45 may be caused to actuate the punch 42.

Fig. 3 also shows masking sheet I5 advancing to the image-receiving sheet. A section of the masking sheet at the left side of the drawing is shown as it proceeds from the stock roll I6 and before any of the processing operations of this invention have been performed on it. Just to the right of this section of the masking sheet I5 is a cut-out portion forming a masking aperture 25 which is provided in the sheet I5 at the station 0. A suitably controlled and directed air blast may be utilized to assist in removin material cut from the masking sheet I5 in forming the apertures therein. Similar means may also be employed to assist in removing material cut.

from the receiving sheet in forming the thumb holes therein.

As in the case of the table 53, the table 55 used in forming masking apertures is adapted to be advanced and retracted in accordance with the 12 position of the cam 53. To the right of the masking aperture 25, next adjacent to the section of the sheet I5 upon which work has not been performed, are a series of other apertures 25 spaced apart center-to-center by the length of one picture frame portion.

The masking sheet I5 is shown joining the image-receiving sheet III at a location which corresponds to the station J in Fig. 1. The frame next adjacent this station and on the right thereof represents a picture frame portion 2I of the image-receiving sheet I0 upon which the masking sheet has been superposed with the aperture 25 thereof registered with the removable print section 22. One other such registered section is shown adjacent the first mentioned registered portion of the two sheets. The second registered portion may be taken as at a location in the path of travel of the superposed and registered sheets which corresponds to the laminating station L of Fig. 1.

In Fig. 3 it is assumed that the portion of the superposed and registered sheets at the location corresponding to the laminating station L represents the leading picture frame portion in a roll film length. The right hand end of such a picture frame portion in a roll film length. The right hand end of such a picture frame portion is consequently joined by superposed leader portions I2I and I25 and the right hand end of these leader portions is shown in adjoining relation to the trailing picture frame portion of roll film length in advance of that taking up the major part of Fig. 3.

It is desirable to prevent lamination of the masking sheet I5 to the image-receiving sheet I0 over a small area which surrounds the thumb hole 23 in each picture frame portion of the film whereby to facilitate the removal of each print section 22. This may be accomplished by mounting a sheet of cardboard or similar material in a recess formed in the work supporting surface 62 of table 54 at an appropriate location. The cardboard is adapted to be substantially flush with the working surface of the table 54 and with the sheet I0 passing over and in contact therewith. Under these conditions the laminating head 35 will not laminate a portion of the masking located over said cardboard to the receiving sheet.

In the course followed by the sheets I0 and I5, it may be observed that when the laminating head 38 is in contact with its table 54, relative movement between the sheets I0 and I5 is prevented. This is of particular advantage in effecting the proper registration between the two sheet materials. By the preferred construction, perforating, punching and laminating operations ar all carried out simultaneously. Such practice takes advantage of the securing of the sheets I0 and I5 by the laminating head 35 against movement relative to each other.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made in the procedures and apparatus herein set forth.

For example, while all punching and perforating operations have been disclosed as being carried out simultaneously, it is possible, by suitable timing of these operations and by appropriate arrangement of the component parts of the apparatus, to carry out the operations performed at stations A, B and C in a successive order.

Further, while the punching, perforating and laminating operations are illustrated as being carried out at a tim when the two sheets are at rest and between the intermittent movements oi the sheets, it is possible to carry out one or more of these operations while the material operated upon is undergoing movement. For example, lamination may be effected by the use of pressure rolls. Similarly, it is possible to form re movable print sections in the image-receiving sheet It by passing the material between a pair of rotating rolls, one roll of which is provided with suitably positioned pins extending outwardly from its periphery and adapted t be engaged with recesses formed in the other roll to extend inwardly of the periphery thereof. Similarly, it would be possible to form a masking aperture 25. Under these conditions it is also possible to advance both sheet materials continuously rather than intermittently, although as heretofore pointed out, the intermittent synchronized movement of the sheets ID and I! is preferred.

Since certain changes may be made in the above process without departing from the scope of the invention herein involved, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:

1. In a method of forming an image-receiving film for use in a photographic process, the steps comprising intermittently advancing a continuous sheet material lengthwise of itself along a predetermined path, said sheet comprising material for receiving a photographic image by transfer and being adapted to be provided with a plurality of successive picture frame portions located in endto-end relation and extending lengthwise of the sheet, each intermittent movement of said sheet being by a distance substantially equal to the length of a picture frame portion; advancing, in

synchronization with said first sheet material, a

second continuous sheet material lengthwise of itself along a path which is separated from said first-mentioned path and which at one end thereof joins said first-mentioned path, said second sheet comprising a masking material adapted to be arranged in overlying relation to the imagereceiving surface of said first-mentioned sheet; performing at least one operation on each said sheet at a predetermined station in each said separated path along which said sheets are moved prior to being joined to each other, said operations comprising successively perforating said first sheet and forming in each of a plurality of successive picture frame portions a removable print section having a picture area which lies within the boundaries of said print section and within which said transfer image is adapted to be confined, and successively cutting openings through said second sheet to provide a plurality of longitudinally spaced apertures therein, each aperture being adapted for registration with a picture area in a removable print section of said first-mentioned sheet when said sheets are superposed in registered relation; bringing said sheets together in superposed and predetermined registered relation at the junction of said paths and continuing the intermittent lengthwise movement of the superposed sheets; and uniting said superposed sheets by pressure and securing each picture frame portion of said first sheet to a corresponding portion of said second sheet when both said portions are opposite a station in the path of travel of said registered sheet located adjacent said path junction while maintaining said sheets against relative movement with respect to each other along their respective separated paths of travel.

2. The method of forming image-receiving film for use in a photographic transfer process as set forth in claim 1 wherein the steps of perforating said first-mentioned sheet, cutting apertures in the second-mentioned sheet and uniting the two sheets are each carried out while said sheets are at rest between the intermittent movements thereof.

3. A method of forming an image-receiving film of the character defined in claim 2 wherein said operations which involve forming a removable print section in each frame of said first-mentioned sheet and providing an aperture in said second-mentioned sheet are each carried out simultaneously.

4. A method of the character set forth in claim 1 for forming an image-receiving film adapted for use in a photographic transfer process, including the step of cutting a hole in said first-mentioned sheet at a position adjacent one end of the perforated portion forming each removable print section, said hole providing a thumb hole for ready access to assist in removing said print section from said receiving sheet.

5. A method as characterized in claim 1 for forming an image-receiving film adapted for use in a photographic transfer process, including the step of cutting a relatively small opening in said first-mentioned sheet at a station in the path of travel of said sheet before it is joined by said second-mentioned sheet and forming a thumb hole therein positioned adjacent an end of said removable print section of each picture frame, said thumb hole being adapted to assist in removing said removable print section from said first-mentioned sheet, and wherein all operations which involve the formation of said removable print section, thumb hole and aperture and the uniting of said sheets together are each carried out while both of said sheets are at rest between intermittent movements thereof.

6. A method of forming an image-receiving film for use in a photographic process as characterized in claim 1 wherein said process includes the step of cutting a thumb hole in each frame of said first-mentioned sheet at a position adjacent one end of a perforated removable print section formed in said frame, and wherein said step of uniting the sheets is carried out to secure said second-mentioned sheet to. the first-mentioned sheet over the area of its respective frame adapted to be covered by said second-mentioned sheet with the exception of a small area in surrounding relation to said thumb hole.

'7. A method as set forth in claim 1 for forming an image-receiving film for use in a photographic transfer process wherein said step of uniting the sheets is carried out by subjecting said two sheets when in superposed and registered relation to heat and pressure.

8. In a method of forming an image-receiving film for use in a photographic transfer process, the steps comprising intermittently and synchronously advancing two continuous sheet materials lengthwise of themselves towards a station where said sheets are adapted to be united in superposed relation and along separate paths which Join each other adjacent said station, one of said continuous sheets comprising material for receiving a photographic image by transfer and being adapted to be provided with a plurality of successive picture frame portions extending lengthwise of the sheet in end-to-end relation and arranged in separated groups wherein each group comprises a predetermined number of picture frame portions and wherein adjacent groups are separated by a predetermined number of blank spaces extending lengthwise of said sheet in end-to-end relation and with each blank space equaling the length of one picture frame portion, and the other sheet material comprising a masking material adapted to overlie the image-receiving surface of said receiving sheet and to cover said surface except for a picture area within each picture frame portion thereof; perforating successive picture frame portions in said receiving sheet as each said portion is moved opposite a predetermined station in the separate path followed by said receiving sheet during its advance towards said station where said sheets are united and forming in each picture frame portion of a group of picture frame portions a removable print section having a picture area lying within the boundaries of said print sec-' tion and adapted to receive said transfer image; cutting an opening in said masking sheet in each of a plurality of successive portions which extend in end-to-end relation longitudinally of the masking sheet as each said portion of the masking sheet is moved opposite a predetermined station in the separate path followed by the masking sheet during its advance towards said station where said sheets are united and providing the masking sheet with a plurality of adjacent portions each having an aperture'and together constituting a group of apertured portions equal in number to the picture frame portions constitutirig'a picture frame group and adapted to be registered with said picture frame portions; bringing said sheets together in superposed and predetermined registered relation at the junction of said separated paths and continuing the intermittent and synchronized advance of the superposed sheets in said registered relation; uniting with pressure each picture frame portion in a group of picture frame portions to a corresponding portion of said masking sheet in registration therewith when said registered portions are opposite a location in their combined paths of travel adjacent said path junction and maintaining said sheets throughout their separated paths against movement relative to each other as the registered portions thereof are secured together; said method including the step of carrying out the intermittent synchronous movement of both said sheets while arresting the perforation of the receiving sheet and the cutting of apertures in said masking sheet for a predetermined number of intermittent advances over sections of both of said sheets adapted to be located at opposite ends of a group of picture frame portions provided on the receiving sheet and a group of apertured portions provided on the masking sheet for registration with said picture frame group whereby to provide said receiving sheet and said masking sheet each with a plurality of blank spaces extending longitudinally of each said sheet in end-to-end relation and each equal in length to a picture frame portion; and forming in said receiving sheet a plurality of removable print sections constituting at least one other group of picture frame portions and forming in said masking sheet a plurality of apertured portions constituting at least one other group of apertured portions.

9. The method of forming image-receiving lm for use in a photographic transfer process as set forth in claim 8 wherein the steps of perforating said receiving sheet, cutting apertures in the masking sheet and uniting the two sheets are each carried out while said sheets are at rest between the intermittent movements thereof.

10. A method of forming an image-receiving film of the character defined in claim 8 wherein said operations which involve forming a removable print section in each frame of said receiving sheet and providing an aperture in said masking sheet are each carried out simultaneously.

11. A method as characterized is claim 8 for forming an image-receiving film adapted for use in a photographic transfer process, including the step of cutting a relatively small opening in said image-receiving sheet at a station in the path of travel of said sheet before it is joined by said image-receiving sheet and forming a thumb hole therein positioned adjacent an end of the removable print section formed in each picture frame of a group of picture frames, said thumb hole being adapted to assist in removing each said removable print section from'said receiving sheet, the operation for forming said thumb hole being arrested during the passage of said blank portions of said receiving sheet by said station.

12. The method of forming an image-receiving film for use in a photographic transfer process as characterized in claim 8 wherein said process includes the step of cutting a thumb hole in each picture frame portion of said image-receiving sheet at a position adjacent one end of the perforated removable print section formed in said picture frame portion, and wherein said operation of uniting said sheets is carried out to secure said masking sheet to the image-receiving sheet over the area of its respective picture frame portion adapted to be covered by said masking sheet with the exception of a small area in surrounding relation to said thumb hole.

13. The method of forming an image-receiving film for use in a photographic transfer process as set forth in claim 1, including the steps of continuously withdrawing each of said sheets from an individual supply at simiiar rates of linear speed, and subjecting each of the continuously moving sheets to intermittently applied tensional forces adapted to intermittently advance said sheets along said paths and timed to impart synchronized intermittent movement to said sheets at a mean rate of linear speed which is substantially equal to the linear speed rate at which said sheets are continuously withdrawn from their respective supplies.

JOHN GREENHALGH. OTTO E. WOLFF.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 223,768 Sipe Jan. 20, 1880 1,467,543 Hansen Sept. 11, 1923 2,284,872 Jaeger June 2, 1942 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 393,813 Great Britain June 15, 1933 

